Peter Mansbridge, chief correspondent of CBC News, has responded to criticism that his paid speeches to industry groups constitute a conflict of interest, writing in a blog post Thursday that in addition to being a public broadcaster, he is “entitled to activities in my private life.”

His defence comes a day after it was discovered he had taken money for a 2012 speech to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, or CAPP, an industry group representing the largest oil and gas companies in the country. Rather curiously, part of his blog post appears rehashed from, or at least heavily inspired by, what CBC’s media relations department has previously said.

Responding to an inquiry from Vice earlier in the week, the CBC’s head of media relations, Chuck Thompson, wrote the following:

“Peter makes it clear to all those who ask him to speak, whether it’s for charity or not, that he sticks to what he know best—journalism. He doesn’t pretend to be an expert on anything else and that’s conveyed to the organizers and to the audience. Peter’s speeches draw heavily on his journalistic background and experiences. He talks about the evolution in the country during his time covering it. He talks about the way in which information is assembled, stories are told, and the fundamentals of how journalistic storytelling works in modern Canada.

In laying out these observations, Peter draws on anecdotes from decades of experience covering the news and does not give advice on how those he speaks to should advocate. Peter does not weigh in on matters of current controversy or sensitivity, and goes out of his way to make clear that the nature of being a ‘news’ journalist is about being there to assemble information and tell an honest story, no matter who it pleases or who it offends. And of course Peter would not, does not, and has not, given a speech either promoting oil sands development or opposing it.”

So, again, what do I talk about? I make it clear to all those who ask me to speak, whether it’s for a charity or not, that I will stick to what I know best – journalism. I don’t pretend to be an expert on anything else and I make that clear not only to the organizers but to the audience. Therefore my speeches draw heavily on my journalistic background and experiences. I talk about the evolution in the country during my time covering it. I talk about the way in which information is assembled, how stories are told, the fundamentals of how journalistic storytelling works in modern Canada. In laying out these observations, I draw on anecdotes from decades of experience covering the news. I talk about Canada, how others in the world see us and how we see ourselves in our constant search for an identity. My talks are usually about promoting Canada, not for any one side, but as a sum of all the country’s parts.

I do not give advice on how those I speak to should advocate. I do not weigh in on matters of current sensitivity, and I go out of my way to make clear that the nature of being a “news” journalist is about being there to assemble information and tell an honest story, no matter who it pleases or who it offends. And let me be clear about something else: I would not, do not, and have not, given a speech either promoting oil sands development or opposing it.

Peter Mansbridge is the second CBC personality in as many weeks to become embroiled in the controversy over speaking fees, and whether journalists ought to disclose to their audience that they have accepted money from groups they may cover as part of their day jobs. Rex Murphy, commentator on The National and host of CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup, has also given paid speeches at oil industry events. (Murphy is also a columnist with the National Post. The newspaper and Canada.com are affiliated but editorially independent.)

The CBC has defended Murphy’s speaking fees on the grounds that he is a “freelancer.” A similar defence was not offered for Mansbridge, host of the flagship nightly news broadcast, but CBC says his gigs are approved by management.

UPDATE: Thompson says his response to Patrick McGuire of Vice came after a discussion with Mansbridge about his speaking engagements, and that “some of what he told me, and which I provided to Patrick, Peter used in his blog.”